TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - The jury in the murder trial of Samuel Williams has been dismissed, and the judge will decide the sentence.
The jury found Williams guilty on two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of aggravated burglary in the deaths of Lisa Straub and Johnny Clarke Friday.
Williams had faced the death penalty, but only a jury can sentence a defendant to death. The judge is left with three sentencing options; life in prison without parole, life in prison without parole for 30 years, or life in prison without parole for 25 years.
After hearing testimony in a mitigation hearing and deliberating Monday the jury informed the judge they could not reach a unanimous verdict on sentencing. The judge dismissed the jury and will now be responsible for making a sentencing decision in the case.
The judge will announce his decision on August 10, 2012.
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